10 In App Purchases Examples to Boost Your Revenue in 2025

Unlocking sustainable revenue on iOS is less about chance and more about strategic design. While a great app is the foundation, a well-crafted monetization model is what builds an empire. The challenge? Navigating the complex world of in-app purchases to find a model that delights users, respects their experience, and drives conversions. Many developers get stuck with generic paywalls or monetization tactics that alienate their audience.

To solve this, we've dissected ten powerful in app purchases examples from the most successful apps on the planet. This deep dive will go beyond surface-level descriptions to reveal the specific psychological triggers, user experience flows, and pricing strategies that make these models work.

You'll gain actionable insights and replicable methods to apply directly to your own app, transforming your monetization approach from a guessing game into a predictable growth engine. We'll explore everything from premium currencies and battle passes to ad-removal options and subscription tiers. Forget theory; this is a practical playbook for building a monetization strategy that not only works but excels, providing concrete examples of in-app purchase systems that have generated millions. Let's get started.

1. Premium Currency/Virtual Currency

Virtual currency is a cornerstone of in-app monetization, creating an internal economy where users purchase a digital medium (like gems, coins, or V-Bucks) with real money. This currency is then spent on in-game items, cosmetics, or progress boosts. This model effectively decouples the real-money transaction from the in-app purchase, reducing spending friction and encouraging larger, less frequent purchases.

Successful implementations like PUBG Mobile with its "UC" (Unknown Cash) and Fortnite with "V-Bucks" showcase how a well-integrated currency can fuel a thriving digital marketplace. These apps create a strong incentive loop: players want exclusive items, and the only way to get them is by first acquiring the premium currency. This strategy is a powerful example of modern in-app purchases.

Strategic Breakdown

Abstraction of Value: By converting real money into a virtual currency, developers can price items more flexibly. An item priced at "500 Gems" feels less tangible and easier to spend than one priced at "$4.99."
Encourages Bulk Purchases: Offering bonus currency on larger packs (e.g., "buy 1000 gems, get 200 free") incentivizes users to spend more per transaction to maximize value.
Event-Driven Spending: Limited-time offers or double-currency events create urgency, prompting users to buy now rather than later. For an in-depth guide on the technical setup, explore these resources about iOS in-app purchasing on Nuxie.io.

Actionable Takeaways

Implement Tiered Pricing: Offer multiple currency packs, from a small entry-level purchase to a high-value bulk option.
Create a "Best Value" Anchor: Clearly label one mid-to-high tier pack as the "Most Popular" or "Best Value" to guide user choice.
Monitor Your Economy: Regularly track conversion rates for each currency pack and adjust pricing or bonus amounts if they fall below your target, which is often around 2-3% in gaming apps.

2. Cosmetic/Aesthetic Items

Cosmetic items are one of the most popular in-app purchases examples, allowing users to personalize their experience without impacting core gameplay. This model involves selling non-functional items like character outfits, weapon skins, or unique animations. It thrives on players' desires for self-expression and status, offering a monetization strategy that is widely seen as fair and non-disruptive.

Pioneered by games like League of Legends and perfected by giants such as Valorant and Fortnite, the cosmetic-only approach proves that players are willing to pay for aesthetics alone. These apps build a strong community around personalization, where owning a rare or exclusive skin is a form of social currency. This keeps the competitive environment balanced while generating significant revenue from engaged users.

Strategic Breakdown

Preserves Competitive Integrity: By separating monetization from gameplay advantage, cosmetics avoid "pay-to-win" accusations, fostering a healthier and more engaged long-term player base.
Drives Urgency and Exclusivity: Limited-time offers, seasonal cosmetics tied to real-world events, and exclusive bundles create powerful purchase triggers.
Builds Brand and Lore: Cosmetics can be used to tell stories and expand the game's universe, deepening player connection to the world and its characters.

Actionable Takeaways

Offer Bundled Discounts: Package related cosmetic items together in a bundle and offer a 10-15% discount compared to individual purchases.
Track Popularity: Monitor which cosmetic themes and styles sell best and reinvest creative resources into those successful concepts.
Implement a Tier System: Create different tiers of cosmetics (e.g., Common, Rare, Legendary) with varying price points and visual effects to cater to all spending levels.

3. Battle Pass/Season Pass

The Battle Pass, also known as a Season Pass, is a monetization model that offers a tiered progression system. Users pay a one-time fee to unlock a track of exclusive rewards that they earn by playing the game and completing challenges over a set period, typically a season lasting several weeks or months. This system is a powerful example of in-app purchases that drives both revenue and long-term engagement.

Pioneered at a massive scale by Fortnite, and now a staple in titles like Call of Duty: Warzone and Apex Legends, the Battle Pass transforms player time into tangible value. It provides a clear roadmap of rewards, encouraging consistent play throughout the season. This model excels at retaining users by giving them constant, achievable goals and a feeling of progression.

Strategic Breakdown

Habit Formation: Daily and weekly challenges tied to the pass build a routine, encouraging users to log in regularly to maximize their rewards before the season ends.
Perceived Value: A pass priced around $10 can offer rewards valued at over $100 if purchased individually, creating an irresistible value proposition for engaged players.
Retention Loop: Many successful passes, like Valorant's, reward enough premium currency to allow dedicated players to purchase the next season's pass for "free," creating a powerful long-term retention hook.

Actionable Takeaways

Balance Reward Types: Design your pass with a healthy mix of rewards. A good target is 40-50% cosmetics, 30-40% gameplay items (like currency or XP boosts), and the rest as miscellaneous content.
Price Competitively: Stick to the proven sweet spot of $9.99 to $12.99. This price point is low enough to be an impulse purchase but high enough to be profitable at scale.
Create Meaningful Challenges: Ensure challenges respect the player's time. They should encourage gameplay variety and skill, not tedious grinding that leads to burnout.

4. Energy/Stamina System

The energy or stamina system is a time-gating mechanic where players consume a finite resource (like lives, energy, or hearts) to perform actions. Once depleted, they must either wait for it to regenerate over time or make an in-app purchase for an instant refill. This model creates a natural break in gameplay, encouraging users to return to the app multiple times a day and monetizing those who wish to play longer, uninterrupted sessions.

This model was popularized by casual gaming giants like King and Playrix, with titles like Candy Crush Saga (lives) and Royal Match (hearts) mastering the formula. The core loop is simple: play until you run out of energy, then decide to wait or pay. This is one of the most effective in app purchases examples for driving both retention and revenue in session-based games, as it paces user consumption and creates clear monetization opportunities at points of high engagement.

Strategic Breakdown

Paces Content Consumption: By limiting playtime, developers prevent players from burning through content too quickly, extending the app's lifespan and long-term engagement potential.
Builds Habitual Loops: The regeneration timer acts as a psychological trigger, prompting users to return to the app once their energy is restored. This creates a powerful daily habit.
Monetizes Impatience: The system targets players who are highly engaged and want to continue playing immediately, converting their desire for instant gratification into a purchase.

Actionable Takeaways

Offer Multiple Refill Options: Provide choices like a full energy refill, a temporary "infinite energy" boost (e.g., for 30 minutes), or a bundle with other items.
Reward with Free Energy: Use free energy refills as rewards for daily logins, completing challenges, or watching a rewarded ad to reduce player friction and boost retention.
Optimize Regeneration Timers: Set a regeneration rate that encourages multiple sessions per day. A common standard is regenerating one unit every 5-10 minutes, with a cap that takes 2-4 hours to fully replenish.

5. Progression Boosters/Time Savers

Progression boosters, often called time savers, are in-app purchases designed to accelerate a user's progress. This model targets players who value their time over grinding by offering items that reduce cooldowns, double experience points, or skip waiting periods entirely. It's a popular monetization strategy in games with long-term progression loops, as it caters to both paying and non-paying users.

Games like Diablo Immortal and Elder Scrolls Online master this by selling items like XP scrolls and Crests that enhance rewards. The core gameplay remains accessible to everyone, but players can opt-in to speed up their journey. This creates a valuable revenue stream without alienating the free-to-play base, making it a balanced example of in-app purchases.

Strategic Breakdown

Time as a Commodity: This model directly monetizes a user's desire to save time. It appeals to players with less free time who still want to keep pace with more dedicated users.
Non-Compulsory Advantage: Boosters provide an advantage in speed, not power. This ensures that the core game balance isn't broken, preventing "pay-to-win" accusations.
Event-Based Demand: Linking boosters to special events (like a "Double XP Weekend") creates powerful synergy, driving sales by amplifying the booster's value and creating urgency.

Actionable Takeaways

Offer Varied Durations: Provide a range of booster options, such as 1-hour, 24-hour, and 7-day versions, to cater to different play styles and budgets.
Create Booster Bundles: Package time savers with other items like virtual currency or cosmetics to increase the average transaction value.
Reward Engagement: Grant free, short-duration boosters as milestone rewards or daily login bonuses to give users a taste of the benefits and encourage future purchases.

6. Limited-Time/Exclusive Items

Limited-time offers and exclusive items are a powerful monetization strategy centered on urgency and scarcity. This model leverages the psychological principle of FOMO (fear of missing out) by making unique content available only for a specific period or during a special event. This creates a compelling reason for users to purchase immediately, as waiting means they might miss the opportunity forever.

Games like Fortnite and Valorant master this approach by releasing highly desirable cosmetic bundles tied to seasonal events or brand collaborations, such as with Marvel or Star Wars. These items are often priced at a premium and prominently feature countdown timers, reinforcing their temporary nature. This creates a predictable revenue spike and serves as a key example of event-driven in-app purchases.

Strategic Breakdown

Urgency Through Scarcity: By clearly communicating that an item will not be available after a certain date, developers create a strong incentive to buy now. Countdown timers and "Last Chance" banners are effective UI elements.
Perceived Value Increase: Exclusivity makes items feel more valuable and prestigious. Users purchase them not just for their aesthetic but for the status of owning something rare that others can no longer obtain.
Event-Based Engagement: Tying exclusive items to in-game events or seasonal holidays encourages users to log in and participate, creating a natural funnel for monetization.

Actionable Takeaways

Communicate Exclusivity Clearly: State whether an item is "Limited" (will never return) or "Seasonal" (may return next year) to manage user expectations and build trust.
Implement Visible Countdown Timers: Display a countdown timer directly on the item's store page or in the main menu to constantly remind users of the deadline.
Price at a Slight Premium: Price limited-time items approximately 15-20% higher than standard store items to reflect their exclusivity and capitalize on the heightened purchase intent.

7. Gacha/Loot Box System

The Gacha or Loot Box model is a powerful monetization system built on randomized rewards. Users spend real or virtual currency to "pull" or "spin" for a chance to receive a random in-game item, character, or cosmetic. This system, originating from Japanese toy-vending machines, creates immense engagement by tapping into the psychological thrill of chance and the desire to collect rare items.

Successful examples like Genshin Impact with its character banners and Fire Emblem Heroes with hero summoning demonstrate its profitability. These apps build their core loop around acquiring new units via the gacha, making it an integral part of the player experience. This is a potent example of how in app purchases can be woven directly into a game's progression and collection mechanics, driving consistent revenue.

Strategic Breakdown

Variable Rewards: The core appeal is the variable reward schedule. The uncertainty of receiving a high-value item keeps players engaged and willing to spend repeatedly, chasing that rare prize.
Pity Systems: To mitigate player frustration from bad luck, a "pity system" guarantees a rare item after a specific number of pulls (e.g., 90 pulls in Genshin Impact). This provides a safety net and a clear spending goal.
Limited-Time Banners: Introducing time-sensitive banners with exclusive, powerful items creates a strong sense of urgency (FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out), driving spikes in spending during specific event periods.

Actionable Takeaways

Be Transparent: Clearly and publicly display the exact percentage odds for acquiring each item. This builds trust and is a requirement on major app stores.
Incorporate a Pity Mechanic: Implement a system that guarantees a high-rarity reward after a set number of unsuccessful attempts to retain players.
Offer Free Currency: Allow users to earn the premium gacha currency through regular gameplay. This lets non-spending players participate and provides a "taste" of the system, encouraging future purchases.

8. Subscription/Premium Membership

A subscription or premium membership model introduces predictable, recurring revenue by charging users a monthly or annual fee for ongoing access to exclusive content and features. Unlike one-time purchases, this strategy fosters long-term user engagement and provides a stable income stream, mirroring traditional SaaS models. It’s a powerful method for apps that deliver continuous value.

Iconic examples like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV built their empires on this model, offering vast worlds and constant updates in exchange for a recurring fee. In the mobile space, games like Old School RuneScape use membership to unlock the full game world, creating a clear and compelling value proposition for dedicated players. These in app purchases examples demonstrate how to build a loyal, paying user base.

Strategic Breakdown

Creates Predictable Revenue: Monthly and annual payments provide a reliable and forecastable revenue stream, simplifying financial planning and business growth.
Increases User Retention: Ongoing benefits and exclusive content give users a strong reason to stay engaged with the app month after month.
Higher Lifetime Value (LTV): While the initial transaction is smaller than a large one-time purchase, the cumulative revenue from a long-term subscriber is often significantly higher.

Actionable Takeaways

Offer Annual Discounts: Encourage long-term commitment by offering a significant discount (e.g., 20-30%) for an annual subscription compared to the monthly rate.
Provide Tangible Monthly Value: Include a monthly stipend of premium currency or exclusive items to consistently remind users of the subscription's value.
Visualize the Benefits: Clearly display subscription-only perks throughout the app, showing non-subscribers what they are missing to drive conversions. For a deeper look, you can find more information about subscription models for apps on Nuxie.io.

9. Equipment/Gear Systems

Equipment and gear systems monetize direct gameplay advantages, allowing users to purchase items like weapons, armor, or character upgrades that improve their performance. Unlike purely cosmetic items, these purchases directly influence gameplay, offering tangible benefits such as increased power or faster progression. This model taps into a player's desire for a competitive edge and accelerated advancement.

Games like Diablo Immortal and Raid: Shadow Legends showcase this strategy by offering powerful gear and upgrade materials for purchase. This creates a direct path for players who wish to spend money to strengthen their characters quickly. However, this approach to in-app purchases examples requires careful balance to avoid alienating free-to-play users by creating an unfair "pay-to-win" environment where progress is impossible without spending.

Strategic Breakdown

Progression Acceleration: This model primarily serves as a shortcut. Players can either invest significant time to earn gear or spend money to acquire it instantly, catering to different user motivations.
Layered Monetization: Gear systems often work with other models. Players might buy premium currency to purchase loot boxes (Gacha) that contain a chance to win rare equipment, layering multiple monetization tactics.
Careful Power Creep: To maintain long-term engagement, new and slightly better gear is continuously introduced, encouraging repeat purchases over time without making old gear completely obsolete overnight.

Actionable Takeaways

Implement a Dual-Currency System: Allow basic gear to be earned with a free, in-game currency, while premium currency can purchase rare items or upgrade materials.
Offer Upgrade Paths: Instead of just selling powerful items outright, sell materials that allow players to upgrade the gear they've earned through gameplay. This makes purchases feel earned.
Balance with Free-to-Play Paths: Ensure that all essential gear is obtainable through dedicated gameplay. This maintains a healthy player base and mitigates pay-to-win criticisms.

10. Removal of Ads/Ad-Free Experience

Offering an ad-free experience is a classic and highly effective monetization strategy. This model provides a free, ad-supported version of an app while giving users the option to make a one-time payment or subscribe to remove all intrusive advertisements. It directly addresses a common user pain point, turning annoyance into a clear value proposition for a purchase.

Apps like Spotify and YouTube have built entire premium tiers around this concept, bundling it with other features. Similarly, countless mobile puzzle games and utility apps offer a simple, one-time purchase to permanently remove banner and interstitial ads, providing an uninterrupted user experience. This approach is one of the most straightforward and honest in-app purchases examples, as the benefit is immediate and easily understood by the user.

Strategic Breakdown

Pain Point Monetization: This model works by creating a minor, controlled frustration (ads) and then selling the solution. The key is balancing ad frequency to be noticeable enough to incentivize a purchase without driving users away entirely.
Clear Value Proposition: Unlike abstract virtual goods, the benefit of "no ads" is tangible and instantly understood. This clarity reduces friction in the purchasing decision, making it an easier sell.
Hybrid Model Compatibility: It pairs perfectly with other monetization methods. An app can still offer rewarded video ads (which are user-initiated) to ad-free users, creating an additional revenue stream. To explore this further, check out these strategies for balancing IAPs and ad revenue for apps on Nuxie.io.

Actionable Takeaways

Price It as an Impulse Buy: Keep the one-time purchase price low, typically in the $1.99 to $4.99 range, to make it an easy, impulsive decision for users who enjoy your app.
Make the Offer Visible: Don't hide the "Remove Ads" option deep in a settings menu. Place it prominently on the main screen or present it after an ad is shown to capture users at their point of maximum frustration.
Track Conversion Rates: Monitor what percentage of users are purchasing the ad-free option. If the rate is below your target (often 1-2% for this IAP type), consider adjusting the ad placement strategy or the price point.

Top 10 In-App Purchase Types Compared

Monetization Model	🔄 Implementation Complexity	💡 Resource Requirements	📊 Expected Outcomes	Ideal Use Cases	⭐ Key Advantages
Premium Currency/Virtual Currency	Low–Medium — standard IAP + pricing tiers	Payment infra, store UI, analytics, pricing strategy	Predictable recurring spend; steady ARPU	F2P games with diverse item economy	Flexible purchasing, encourages repeat buys
Cosmetic/Aesthetic Items	Medium — high art/animation quality needed	Art/animation teams, UI, seasonal content	High margins; steady long-term revenue but lower conversion	Competitive & social games (MOBA, shooters)	No pay-to-win, strong emotional attachment
Battle Pass/Season Pass	Medium–High — progression + season systems	Content cadence, reward design, challenge systems	Recurring seasonal revenue; higher engagement/retention	Live-service games with regular updates	High perceived value; drives play patterns
Energy/Stamina System	Low — timer mechanics and simple UX	Simple backend timers, balancing, UX triggers	Increased daily returns; monetizes impatience but churn risk	Casual mobile titles, level-based games	Easy to implement; encourages daily return
Progression Boosters/Time Savers	Low–Medium — boosters + duration handling	Backend timers, pricing tiers, event integration	Revenue from time-constrained players; episodic spikes	MMOs, long-grind progression games	Appeals to busy players; high perceived short-term value
Limited-Time / Exclusive Items	Medium — event and scarcity management	Event planning, marketing, exclusive art/partners	Short-term sales spikes; high conversion during windows	Seasonal events, IP collaborations	Urgency-driven purchases; premium pricing justified
Gacha / Loot Box System	High — RNG, pity systems, legal compliance	Complex backend, odds publishing, legal/regulatory support	Very high revenue potential; volatile and high risk	Collection-driven gacha/hero games	Extremely profitable when accepted; drives collection
Subscription / Premium Membership	Medium — recurring billing + perks delivery	Ongoing content, support, retention analytics	Predictable recurring revenue; lower conversion but steady LTV	Games with continual value (MMOs, services)	Stable income, improved retention and community
Equipment / Gear Systems	Medium–High — balance and progression systems	Design/balance team, dual-currency systems, crafting	Strong purchase incentives; pay-to-win risk in PvP	PvE/progression-focused games, RPGs	Direct gameplay value drives purchases
Removal of Ads / Ad-Free Experience	Low — simple IAP toggle	Ad system integration, IAP flow, UX placement	Small per-purchase revenue; improves UX and retention	Ad-supported casual apps and utilities	Low-friction monetization; immediate UX improvement

Your Blueprint for Building a High-Converting Paywall

As we've explored through these diverse in app purchases examples, it's clear that there is no single magic formula for monetization. The most successful strategies are deeply integrated into the app’s core experience, providing genuine value that aligns perfectly with user motivations. From the long-term engagement driven by a Battle Pass in a competitive game to the simple, one-time utility of an ad-free experience in a productivity app, effective monetization is an artful blend of psychology, design, and data.

The overarching lesson is that your monetization model must feel like a natural extension of your app, not a roadblock. It should enhance the user journey, not exploit it. Whether you're offering cosmetic flair, progression boosts, or premium features, the perceived value must always outweigh the cost.

Key Takeaways for Your Monetization Strategy

Moving from inspiration to implementation requires a strategic approach. Based on the examples we've analyzed, here are the core principles to guide your efforts:

Align with User Motivation: Match your in-app purchase type to the primary reason users engage with your app. A utility app benefits from feature-based subscriptions, while a creative app can thrive on selling cosmetic assets or tools.
Provide a Spectrum of Value: A successful in-app purchase economy caters to different levels of spending. Combine high-value, one-time purchases with lower-cost consumables or a recurring subscription to appeal to a broader audience segment.
Clarity is Conversion: Your paywall and purchase flows must be crystal clear. Users should immediately understand what they are buying, why it’s valuable, and how it will improve their experience. Ambiguity is the enemy of revenue.
Create Perceived Scarcity and Urgency: As seen with limited-time offers and exclusive items, creating a sense of urgency can be a powerful motivator. This tactic encourages users who are on the fence to make a purchase decision.

Your Actionable Next Steps

Studying these in app purchases examples is the first step, but true success comes from execution and iteration. Your goal now is to transform these insights into a high-performing system tailored specifically to your app and your audience. Don't just copy a paywall from another app; adapt the underlying principles to fit your unique context.

Start by hypothesizing which models would resonate most with your users. Would they respond better to a subscription that unlocks everything or to a virtual currency that offers more granular control? The only way to know for sure is to test. Rigorous A/B testing of different paywall designs, value propositions, and price points is not just a best practice; it's essential for maximizing revenue and building a sustainable business. Stop guessing and start validating your assumptions with real user data. This data-driven approach is the blueprint for turning your app into a monetization powerhouse.

Ready to move from theory to reality? Nuxie provides the tools you need to design, deploy, and A/B test beautiful, high-converting paywalls without writing a single line of code. Stop leaving money on the table and start iterating your way to a more profitable app today. Explore how Nuxie can transform your monetization strategy.